Philip Loubser Foundation (PLF) will hold its inaugural fellowship weekend this September. PLF’s goal is to nurture top international talent across theatre, opera, dance and classical music.
The fellowship weekend will see 10 current and former PLF come together on 1 and 2 September. Participants will take a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe and the Giacometti exhibition at Tate Modern, before meeting with PLF founder Michael Loubser for a sharing session.
“This inaugural fellowship weekend will give us, past and present fellows, a chance to get to know each other, to touch base about future collaborations, potentially creating exciting projects together,” said former PLF fellow Gergely Madaras – now chief conductor of Savaria Symphony Orchestra, Hungary. “We will be able to share our visions and dreams, but also challenges and difficulties, establishing a network on which we can rely in the future.”
Since it launched in 1997, PLF has taken on 12 fellows, representing 10 countries. Fellows are supported with grants, mentoring and other career development opportunities. It works directly with four institutions: Royal Ballet School, English National Opera (ENO), Royal College of Music and Toneelgroep Amsterdam.
“The PLF Fellowships offer bespoke programmes for professional artistic development at the highest level,” said PLF fellowship director Sally Sparrow. “Through invaluable insights and exclusive mentoring opportunities, PLF fellows flourish in the footsteps of the namesake associated with their fellowship.”
Former PLF fellows include ENO assistant conductor Fergus Macleod, San Francisco Ballet soloist Esteban Hernandez, and Boston Ballet soloist Hannah Bettes. The five current PLF fellows are ballet dancer Yu Hang; conductors Toby Purser and Matthew Kofi Waldren; pianist Alexander Ullman; and director Maren Bjørseth.
